ICPS

2023 International Convention of Psychological Science · 2023

Safety Signals Established By a Two-Way Active Avoidance Task Display Reward-like Properties in Rats.

Brussels, Belgium · March 2023

poster · Experimental Psychology

  • Laura Vercammen
    Leuven Brain Institute
  • Laura Vercammen
    KU Leuven
  • Tom Beckers
    Leuven Brain Institute
  • Tom Beckers
    KU Leuven
  • Bram Vervliet
    KU Leuven
  • Bram Vervliet
    Leuven Brain Institute
  • Laura Luyten
    KU Leuven
  • Laura Luyten
    Kuleuven University, Leuven

Abstract

Safety signals that are presented contingent with the omission of an expected aversive event, as occurs when rats make an avoidance response, acquire rewarding properties. After five days of avoidance training, rats preferred a compartment where the safety signal was presented, compared to a compartment where no stimulus was presented.

Animal Behavior